BOSTON — Zdeno Chara was finally back on the ice tonight for a hockey game less than 48 hours after his controversial hit on Max Pacioretty in Montreal.

The hit left Pacioretty with a fractured vertebrae and concussion, and left Chara with a lot of explaining to do both for the play and the league’s decision not to suspend him. He has been contrite all the way through.

With the Buffalo Sabres serving as the opposition at TD Garden, it was back to business. Chara took little time getting back in the groove with a hit on Jason Pominville in the corner 1:44 into the game. Ultimately, the night will be remembered for a 4-3 Bruins overtime loss, but Chara looked like his old self with two assists, a plus-2 rating, three shots on net and two hits.

“I don’t see any reason to change my game or my style of play,” Chara said after the loss. “I’m going to continue to play physical and play hard. That’s my game and that’s going to be it [without] any change.”

It’s obviously been a trying time for Chara. Focusing on hockey can’t be easy when half a continent of people is calling for your head and there are even rumblings the authorities in Quebec might pursue criminal charges for an act that took place in the midst of a sporting event.

Earlier this evening, however, Pacioretty was released from the hospital and issued a statement. If Pacioretty’s words don’t call off the legal hounds, nothing will.

“I sincerely appreciate all of the support that I have received since my injury,” the statement said. “I was disappointed that the NHL did not suspend Zdeno Chara. However, I have no desire for him to prosecuted legally. I feel that the incident, as ugly as it was, was part of a hockey game.

”I understand that this is not my decision. I have respect and admiration for the authorities in Quebec. I simply wanted to make my opinion clear.”

Considering Pacioretty’s accusatory tone of a day ago, when he insisted Chara intended to cause serious injury, the new statement should tamp down the venom level in the rhetoric between people on Montreal’s side, and even some third parties that have weighed in from other teams and media outlets.

Chara should be relieved.

“It’s a nice gesture. It’s something that for sure shouldn’t go that far,” Chara said when asked about Paciorett’ys statement. “It’s something that, like I said, it’s very unfortunate. I keep repeating that. You feel bad about it. You don’t want to see anybody get hurt, especially in that case, upper-body and most likely neck and head.

“But we all feel bad about it. It doesn’t matter rivalry or not a rivalry, it’s something we all want to see the guy recover and obviously I’m going to try to reach out to him and have a talk with him either over the phone or try to see him in person. But I totally understand respect that now he probably needs time and space to be around his family. I’m sure when the time is right we’re probably going to talk and somehow connect.”

Support for Chara has been rare outside of Boston. So it was extra special that the hometown fans expressed their love for their captain. When he first jumped over the boards, he heard a roar. When he first touched the puck, he got a cheer. And his first hit inspired a “Chara” chant from the 17,565 on hand.

“For sure, it’s something I very much appreciate and I’m very thankful for that and it feels, for sure, great to be at home and to have that support from your own fans,” said Chara.

Those same 17,565 would probably stand between the Quebec police and Chara if they had to. But there should be no reason for an attempted capture of Chara, bail or anything relating to the law. Pacioretty has said his piece, Chara has done his penance (and promised more), and the NHL has made its ruling. To prolong this on-ice incident and have the authorities interfere would just be grandstanding and pandering to the over-the-top masses now.

There probably should’ve never been a threat of prosecution. Now there definitely shouldn’t be.

I just went to TSN.Ca for hockey news. As i read that the GM’s will get togther for Mondays meetings about head shoots. Im glad to see that they are getting together but what i dont like is that they are using a picture from 2006 when Brad Stuart was on the team. It has him using his elbow to rub a Blackhawk player against the glass.

Casey – funny you mentioned that as I was thinking the same thing today, maybe this is our year. Adverse situations like this should make us stronger & I’m starting to get the feeling people are starting to tire of this incident being blown up by Montreal & dragged on like it has been with legal actions & such. This has been ruff on Chara & the Bruins but hang in there everyone because people’s patience are wearing thin on this & the tide is about to turn.
GO BRUINS GO!!!

As someone born and raised in Montreal, I can assure you the police want nothing to do with this, and that nothing will come of it. However, I will say this – regardless of this incident – this head injury nonsense has to end. Albeit, the removal of stanchions is a start, the general lack of respect amongst ALL players is truly troubling.

kev – you are right – i have watched the Score,TSN & Sportsnet extensively since this incident & most players (both active & retired),analysts,coaches etc. feel that the NHL got it right this time. The bleeding hearts in Montreal are the ones making all the fuss about this.

This is just getting annoying. Canadiens fans on here clinging to the same three people/entity’s opinions and repeating them over and over and over, describing the Chara hit through their own biased view… honestly, if you can’t see the other side of the argument, don’t bother trying to kid yourself that anybody on here cares about your opinion. Go home.

Sedin,glass thornton,sport illustrade, and a lot more saw the play and say the same as Henrik.As for the other one they dont have balls and are trying to protect zdeno…I hope whit put him on a liar detector

Bernard, save your hot-air filled comments for another page. As a bruins fan, it sucks to see such a horrible injury happen to another player; I for sure wouldn’t wish harm. But please, we have lost one of our star players for something similar that went unpunished. There are fans on both sides that are making wholly ignorant comments, and it is unfortunate. The issue now is beyond Zdeno Chara. Hmm, maybe the city of boston should have launched a criminal investigation against matt cooke? It is clear that when it comes to disciplining players, the NHL talks out of two sides of their mouth. Another thing that really chides my hind is that all of these Habs fans are saying stop mentioning Savard? Why??? There wasn’t nearly as much hoo-ha when that went down. He is done. You could tell when he came back that he wasn’t the same anymore. Again nothing was done.

All the stupid and friendly guy yes,becuz they dont know this strory behind these 2 and said i cant beleive Zdeno attempt to injury….Player protect there self like it always be….

As for Sedin,Thornton,Glass,Sport illustrated and much more said its a assault (not in hockey but criminal term)he knew where he was,he knew it was max and even whait to the last moment and aim is head whit is hand…..Cant beleive someone beleive is liar

Quit standing being Chara and do get a little credibility by at least admitting Henrik Sedin’s opinion weighs more than yours, or is that too much to ask. Chara hand accelerates relative to his body speed much like you would punch a punching bag. That alone speaks volume and clearly indicates an intention. Added up with 30 days of revenge filled thoughts, the equation cannot be any clearer. Go Bruins Go.

One point with regards to Ference-he didn’t travel with the team and wasn’t at the game and likely hasn’t been the focus of any media interviews.

I also think the Paille hit and Chara’s are different hits and matters. Chara’s hit mechanics were legal and Paille’s weren’t.

A criminal charge-even a threat of it is ridiculous. We were at an AHL game the day after the Chara hit and there were at least 4 very hard hits into the turnbuckle. Hits there are common-injuries not as often. If the league wants to make changes for safety probably better to consider a redesign of the turnbuckle, bench area than to create a “no hitting zone” with a rule change.

I am sickened by what happened to Pacioretty. It was stunningly violent and I really hope he has a complete recovery. However, it didn’t look like much of a hit on Chara’s part. Mike Milbury narrated a clip of a recent Lucic hit that could have had the same impact, which shows that that the glass between the two benches poses significant risk to the players. It’s really a wonder that something similar hasn’t happened before.

This criminal charge crap is clearly over the top. Being a Bruin fan living in Canada, I can certainly tell you all that outside of QUEBEC & Montreal Canadian fan base there is very little support for the police to be involved in this matter. This is yet another case of spoiled French Canadians wining because they didn’t get there way. Quebec is a pampered,seperatist threatening province. My suggestion would be that the Montreal Canadians should seperate from the NHL & join Canada’s national figure skating program.
Even then, if one of them collided with there dance partner then they would want criminal charges, what a bunch of pansies.

Best wishes for the coming downfall. Julien has lost it all. Bitterness does affect judment. I have a tough time believing there is unity in the Bruins dressing room. Generally, success in a team sport sprouts from unity in the dressing room. Too bad. Maybe in another 40 years or so.

Beantown or you a lawyer? No sarcasm that was well thought out. Could it be as easy as Ference was not directly asked what he thought about the hit during a post game interview like he was when Paille hit Sawada? He was asked about Paille before he even had his equipment off during a token post-game interview….MK has anyone even asked Ference about the incident?

Mat Hockey, your entire argument is based on two very ambiguous and sweeping generalizations- 1)Your implication that Ference should have criticized the Paille hit and Chara hit equally means that the two hits were absolutely equivalent; and thus worthy of identical condemnation. In reality, they both contrasted in position on the ice, position and momentum of the two players involved, area of contact, degree of intensity, and so on. That is why they were penalized differently. 2) The truth of your argument entirely depends on your assumption that you can read Andrew Ference’s motives, thought processes, and ulterior motives.
– You assert that Andrew Ference only spoke out against the Paille hit “knowing full well the media hype it would create”
– “Ference has been known to use the media to improve his self-image at the expense of others or a teammate”. Really? Can you provide some evidence of Ference’s past malicious selfishness? If you provided some viable sources, or examples of Ference intentionally manipulating conversations with the media to glorify himself and demonize a teammate, your statement would be more convincing.
– “… does not make someone a hero”. Here, you make the mistake of being arrogantly sure that Andrew Ference’s ONLY possible motive for speaking out against a dirty hit was to be a “hero”.

Maybe Ference has integrity? Maybe Ference thought the Paille hit was worse? Maybe you can’t read minds? I’m sure a person or two would’ve bought your conspiracy if you didn’t come across as so dogmatic and single-minded. You need to at least give the appearance of objectivity.

Maybe Ference agreed that other than the interference, it was a clean hit. Yes late, but none the less a clean hit. Police have no right wasting tax payers money. The Director of Public Safety (Louis Dionne) should be held accountable for abusing the power of his office if he is in any way shape or form a Habs fan. Clearly that is a matter for the police to investigate not the Chara hit.

Isn’t it interesting that Andrew Ference didn’t have any comments to make over his Captains hit?? Perhaps that because he is a more valuable player versus Paille. It might be interesting to also examine not only the politics involved with the NHL governing body but also self serving players like Andrew Ference who when Paillé hit Sawana went public and discussed his feelings about the hit labeling it “ a bad hit” knowing full well the media hype this would create. There is nothing wrong with players voicing their opinions but in this case it was also political, this player (Andrew Ference) has been known to use the media to improve his own self-image at the expense of another player or teammate. The issue with his comment and going to the media is that Daniel Paillé was already in the hot seat, he was ejected from the game and was going to have a public hearing in the morning. Speaking to the media and calling a teammate out on something they did when they have a clean record and are already being publicly penalized does not make someone a hero. He was the key person responsible for the NHLPA Paul Kelly getting fired. In the case of speaking out against Daniel Paille’s hit with the media, he knew the implications and also saw a prime opportunity to look like a “hero” when the NHL is suppose to be cracking down on hits. Meanwhile he is one of the players that fights the most and has tons of penalty minutes. Daniel Paillé was the perfect type of player to use since he is a lower paid player that is on and off the roaster, isn’t it interesting that Ference didn’t feel the need to speak up about Chara’s hit that inflicted much more injury? Its no wonder when you have a somewhat corrupt NHL governing body, some players will mimic it to get media attention at the expense of their team mate.

Untrue the case for assault,assault whit lesion or armed assault is open and investigation is on…
Cleaary Zdeno wont have nothing but mayb other player and Nhl organisation would learn of it
Its funny how ur crying bout savard bergeron and then make fun of that situation saying max jumpp or dive to that thing

I hope that there is a backlash against Air Canada. Where do they get off bashing other corporations? Take your money and go home. If I’m a shareholder I’m pissed. Like I say I urge everyone to boycott Scare Canada. They should be held accountable for their bullying threats.If this happened to Joe Blow in Anaheim would they be so righteous? Do the fans care if they leave? Not one of us. Buh Bye.